In Spain, they have many Christmas traditions. One of the traditions is called “Hogueras”, or bonfires. It is celebrated by people jumping over the fire and it is supposed to protect people from illness. This isn't celebrated anywhere else. This is actually celebrating the winter solstice. The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year and the beginning of winter.
One of the more common traditions is “Nacimiento” or nativity scenes. Mostly every family in Spain has one. People also have Christmas trees like ours. People really decorate their house creatively. There are also Christmas markets scattered along cities. These stores sell fruits, flowers, marzipan, candles, decorations and hand-made Christmas gifts. Usually on Christmas Eve, as the stars start to come out, people light tiny oil lamps.
Christmas is never eaten until after midnight. Most meals have a main course of turkey and truffles. Truffles are a delicacy. They are mushroom-like substances that are found underground. Christmas day is spent at church, feasts, and celebrations. Young people swing on swing sets with songs playing in the background.Santa Claus is not the one who brings the kids gifts, it is the Three Wise Men. The kids leave their shoes on the doorstep and the wise men give them gifts overnight.
Spanish Christmas Compared to American
We have a lot of similarities when it comes to decorating houses. In America, we have Christmas trees, nativity scenes, and we put candles in our window. We do the same things but it sounds like Spain is a lot more decorative. One big difference is the celebration of the winter solstice. I don't know one person that celebrates the shortest day of the year.
We also do not stay up until midnight. At least the kids don't because they want to fall asleep and wake up in the morning for their presents. I think the biggest difference is Santa Claus. In the United States, Christmas is not a religious holiday anymore. The point of Christmas is to get presents. Santa is the basis of Christmas, and in Spain they believe it is about the celebration of Jesus' birth.
